Paul Berentzen

Crime is down in Blackpool, according to new figures that show the number of offences in the resort fell at the end of last year.

The latest statistics, which show a recent rise in crime may be coming to an end, have been met with a cautious welcome.

Deep cuts to police budgets – which mean the number of officers lost in Lancashire since 2009 is set to top 1,000 – have been blamed for a surge in offences being reported last year.

But the latest figures show signs police have managed to bring the resort’s crime rate under control.

A report prepared by Coun Gillian Cambell, Blackpool’s cabinet member for public safety, due to be discussed by councillors at a meeting today, states: “All crime in Blackpool showed a six per cent decrease in October to November 2014 when compared to the same period the previous year. This equates to 150 fewer crimes.”

The report reveals there were 19 fewer burglaries over that time – a fall of 14 per cent – and vehicle crime was down nine per cent, with 18 fewer offences reported.

However, assaults have gone up by five per cent – 28 more offences –and sexual offences, not including rape, remain unchanged. Domestic abuse has seen a marginal fall over those two months.

Dave Blacker, chairman of the Talbot PACT group, said: “The figures are very positive and that’s down to the professionalism of the police. Let’s not forget this has been achieved against the backdrop of the cuts.

“We need to keep on top of it and work with the police to build this up against all the odds.”

Figures for the 2013/14 financial year showed crime was up across the Fylde coast, with shoplifting in Blackpool at an 11-year high.